September 15, 2001. Baikonur Cosmodrome.
At 03:35 Moscow time specialized logistics vehicle-module (LVM) Progress
M-CO1 was launched to a near-earth orbit by Soyuz-” launch vehicle in
accordance with the International Space Station (ISS) assembly program.
The launch objective is to deliver the docking compartment-module Pirs
to the Space Station for outfitting of the Russian Segment (RS). The
Docking Compartment #1 (DC1) was developed and manufactured at S.P.
Korolev RSC Energia, ISS RS prime developer in Russia, and is intended
to provide a complementary docking port for Soyuz- and Progress-type
manned and logistics vehicles, and support cosmonauts and astronauts
egress into space from the Russian Segment of the Space Station.
A newly developed docking compartment with two egress hatches and a
new structural element, i.e. a transfer spacer, are installed on the
vehicle-module as opposed to Progress M logistics vehicle in place of
the cargo compartment and refueling components compartment.
To enable docking to the nadir port of the Russian Service Module Zvezda,
LVM has been outfitted with a hybrid docking assembly, the systems have
been modified due to a change of the vehicle function and a complement
of its compartments, radio protection mechanisms and shields of the
Kurs system antennas have been upgraded. A separable joint has been
added between the docking mechanism and the transfer spacer.
LVM carries more than 870 kg of propellant and about 800 kg of various
cargoes, among which is CO1 and vehicle-module flight equipment launched
in a transport position; science and utilization hardware, including
hardware for implementation of the Andromeda Project Experiment program,
sanitary-hygienic and water support systems, individual protection gear,
crew health care equipment, flight-data files, maintenance and repair
facilities.
The vehicle has been injected into orbit with a maximum and minimum
altitude of 233.0 km and 192.3 km, respectively, revolution of 88.5
min and inclination of 51.66°. The vehicle onboard systems operate
normally in a design mode.
The docking to the ISS is slated on September 17, 2001 at 05:05 Moscow
time.
The vehicle prelaunch processing and launch at Baikonur cosmodrome were
accomplished under the direction of Yu.P. Semenov, Technical Manager
of Russian Manned Programs, General Designer of S.P. Korolev RSC Energia,
Academician of RAS.
The vehicle and Station flight is controlled by the Lead Operational
Control Team (LOCT) located at the Mission Control Center (MCC-M), Moscow
area, Korolev. The flight director is pilot-cosmonaut Vladimir Soloviev.
According to the telemetry information and reports of ISS-3 crew working
aboard the ISS consisting of F. Culbertson (ISS-3 Commander), V. Dezhurov
(ISS-3 Pilot and Soyuz TM Commander) and M. Tyurin (ISS-3 Flight engineer,
RSC Energia test cosmonaut), all ISS systems operate normally, and the
station is prepared to receive the vehicle.
The ISS of about 133.9 t currently operates in orbit consisting of Russian
Soyuz TM-32 transport vehicle, Progress M-45 logistics vehicle, Service
Module Zvezda, Functional Cargo Block Zarya, U.S. modules Unity and
Destiny.
